Tried and testedTried and testedBy the cries of birdsBy the lies I've heardBy my own loose talkBy the way I walkBy the claws of beastsBy the laws of priestsBy the gluttons feastBy the word policeBy the planets arcBy the falling darkBy the state of the artBy the beat of my heartBy the poverty tranceBy dark financeBy the marketing danceBy the fateful glanceTried and testedTried and testedBy the pressure to rhymeBy the wages of crimeBy the drop of a dimeBy the ghost of the timesBy the spurs of desireBy What does love requireBy what I waited forBy what showed up at the doorTried and testedTried and testedBy the nation wideBy the tears I've criedBy the lure of false prideBy the need to take sidesBy the weight of choiceBy the still small voiceBy things I forgetBy what I haven't met yetTried and testedTried and testedPierced by beautys blade and skinned by windBegged for more -- was given -- begged againI'm still hereI'm still hereTried and tested